Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Ian · 21st February 2015, 11:19 AM

Hello rvr.

Thanks for posting this dha. As others have said, this is a Burmese style dha in what might be called the Shan/Tai form. The three segments of the hilt each of roughly equal length (metal-wood-metal) is a typical Burmese feature. The presence of a fuller is also a Burmese feature.
Since the eastern Shan States are adjacent to northern Thailand, and there is much diffusion of styles among the Shan/Tai and other groups in the area, it is perhaps not surprising that it was thought to come from northern Thailand. Basically we are talking about the so-called "Golden Triangle" area where the eastern part of the Shan States (Burma), southern Yunnan (China), northern Thailand and parts of Laos converge. As noted the leather-covered scabbard is a foreign influence, and might well be Japanese.

Nice sword from the early to mid-20th C.

Ian.

21st February 2015, 11:19 AM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,034	Hello rvr. Thanks for posting this dha. As others have said, this is a Burmese style dha in what might be called the Shan/Tai form. The three segments of the hilt each of roughly equal length (metal-wood-metal) is a typical Burmese feature. The presence of a fuller is also a Burmese feature. Since the eastern Shan States are adjacent to northern Thailand, and there is much diffusion of styles among the Shan/Tai and other groups in the area, it is perhaps not surprising that it was thought to come from northern Thailand. Basically we are talking about the so-called "Golden Triangle" area where the eastern part of the Shan States (Burma), southern Yunnan (China), northern Thailand and parts of Laos converge. As noted the leather-covered scabbard is a foreign influence, and might well be Japanese. Nice sword from the early to mid-20th C. Ian.